Tompolo purchased war ships for NIMASA — DG

The Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Patrick Akpobolokemi, has said that the five war ships allegedly acquired by Tompolo's company, Global West Vessel Specialist Ltd, were purchased on behalf of the agency.

Akpobolokemi, who disclosed this in Lagos yesterday at a press briefing, said the ships were acquired for the use of the Nigerian Navy and other relevant government agencies in the fight against piracy and other related crimes on the nation's maritime domain.

He said: 'It is the Navy that has fitted their guns on the vessels to aid their policing of the maritime domain. The Agency is made up of civilians who are professionals in various fields and who have no political affiliations or interests at all.

'As an arm of the government responsible for maritime safety, security and regulations among others, we work in conjunction with the Nigerian Navy and other relevant security agencies to use their men and arms to patrol and provide safety of the country's water ways.'